Ebonyi governor speaks on alleged diversion, embezzlement of #25b by female SSG

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

The governor of Ebonyi State Francis Nwifuru on Sunday reacted on the alleged diversion and embezzlement of over twenty five billion naira by the female secretary to the state government, Prof. Grace Umezurike.

Nwifuru while speaking during a church service at the government house chapel, located at the new government house centenary City Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, said he will not take any action until proper investigations are  concluded.

The governor, in a statement signed and issued to newsmen shortly after the church service by the press secretary, Monday Uzor, said the case of the said alleged diversion and embezzlement is already in a federal high court in Uyo for hearing.

The statement reads in part: “I received the news of a publication which was already before the Federal High Court Uyo about our Secretary to the State Government.

“She is presumed innocent until investigation reveals otherwise . 

“I am a lawyer  and I know It is imperative to establish the facts before  judgment to avoid setting wrong precedents.” The Governor stressed.

The governor, however, appealed to the leaders of the State to disregard social media critics  and come home to invest  , assuring a conducive environment for  businesses to thrive in the State .

Nwifuru further said that his administration is currently embarking on a programme  to  bring home indigenes of the State  who are doing menial jobs outside the  State.

He explained that the motive is to  empower and make them self reliant.

” We will bring back our people who are doing menial jobs in other cities and empower them since they are not even being appreciated by the people they are working for. 

“After all they are being exploited without commensurate remuneration. We are currently building warehouses and skills acquisition centres in our  industrial City as part of measures to engage our youths meaningfully ” he added.